Sporting event display management system

ABSTRACT

A method allocates screen space for display of a plurality of prescribed messages on a display device during a sporting event having a plurality of activities. Each activity ultimately has an outcome and takes an activity time to complete. To that end, the method receives a stream of electronic, machine readable real-time event information, and displays an event user interface having selection indicia. The selection indicia enable a user to predict the outcome of at least one activity of the sporting event in real time. The method assigns, to each message, a prescribed display number that is equal to a prescribed number of predictions, and receives a plurality of predictions from the event user interface. The method also displays, in series, each of the plurality of messages in the foreground of the display in real time when receiving the stream of real-time event information.

PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority from provisional U.S. patentapplication No. 62/182,707, filed Jun. 22, 2015, and naming AntonKhinchuk as inventor, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, inits entirety, by reference.

This patent application also claims priority from provisional U.S.patent application No. 62/298,727, filed Feb. 23, 2016, and naming AntonKhinchuk as inventor, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, inits entirety, by reference.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/189,261, entitled, “Sporting Event Display Device System,” filed onJun. 22, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in itsentirety, by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative embodiments of the invention generally relate to operatorinterfaces on display devices and, more particularly, illustrativeembodiments relate to providing a specific element in an interface withwhich a user can interact during an event.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

By their very nature, display devices have a limited amount of realestate for displaying graphical information. This problem becomes moreacute with smaller computing devices, such as mobile computers (e.g.,laptops and smartphones). For example, a smartphone may display messagesfrom multiple different sponsors of an application it is executing (alsoreferred to as an “app”), as well as the graphical information of theapp itself (e.g., a game or map). Undesirably, in view of the limitedscreen size, not all messages can be displayed on the screen in anefficient manner.

SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method allocatesscreen space for display of a plurality of prescribed messages on adisplay device during a sporting event having a plurality of activities.Each activity ultimately has an outcome and takes an activity time tocomplete. To that end, the method receives a stream of electronic,machine readable real-time event information relating to the sportingevent, and displays, on the display device in real time when receivingthe stream of real-time event information, an event user interfacehaving selection indicia. The selection indicia are configured to enablea user to predict the outcome of at least one of the plurality ofactivities of the sporting event in real time.

At some earlier or later time, the method assigns, to each message, aprescribed display number that is equal to a prescribed number ofactivities of the sporting event, and receives a plurality ofpredictions from the event user interface. The method also displays, inseries, each of the plurality of messages in the foreground of thedisplay in real time when receiving the stream of real-time eventinformation. Each message preferably is displayed for no more than atotal time period during the event. Specifically, the total time periodis a function of both 1) the prescribed display number, and 2) theactivity time for the activity being completed when the message isdisplayed. More specifically, the prescribed display number may be equalto a prescribed number of past and/or potential future predictions usingthe event user interface during the sporting event.

The method may display, in series, each of the plurality of messages bydisplaying a first message during a first activity of the event,displaying a second message during a second activity of the event, anddisplaying the first message during a third activity of the event. Inthat case, the second activity may have occurred between the first andthird activities. Alternatively, the method may display, in series, eachof the plurality of messages by displaying a first message during afirst activity of the event, displaying the first message during asecond activity of the event, and displaying a second message during athird activity of the event. In this latter case, the first and secondactivities may have been consecutive activities, while the thirdactivity may have taken place before or after the first and secondactivities.

To limit prediction making, the method may provide a prescribed time forthe user to make the prediction with the event user interface. The totaltime period thus also may be a function of the prescribed time for theuser to make the prediction. Moreover, the message preferably is spacedfrom and not covering the event user interface. Alternatively, themessage may cover some portion of the event user interface.

Moreover, among other things, the message may have selectable indiciathat, when selected, produces a visual code in response to theselection.

Among other things, the sporting event may be a football game or abaseball game. For example, when a baseball game, the given activity maybe an at-bat of a player of the baseball game. The stream of real-timeevent information also may be received live or delayed by no more thanabout 45 seconds from live.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a sporting eventdisplay system more efficiently allocates screen space for display of aplurality of prescribed messages on a display device during a sportingevent having a plurality of activities. Like other embodiments, eachactivity ultimately has an outcome and taking an activity time tocomplete. The system thus has an input to receive input information.Among other things, the input information includes a stream ofelectronic, machine readable real-time event information relating to thesporting event. The system also has a display operatively coupled withthe input. The display is configured to display, in real time whenreceiving the stream of real-time event information, an event userinterface having selection indicia. The selection indicia are configuredto enable a user to predict the outcome of at least one of the pluralityof activities of the sporting event in real time.

The display system also has a message controller operatively coupledwith the display. The message controller is configured to assign, toeach message, a prescribed display number that is equal to a prescribednumber of predictions using the event user interface during the sportingevent. As such, the input information also includes a plurality ofpredictions from the event user interface. The message controller thusalso is configured to display, in series, each of the plurality ofmessages in the foreground of the display in real time when receivingthe stream of real-time event information. Specifically, each message isdisplayed for no more than a total time period during the event. Thetotal time period is a function of both 1) the prescribed displaynumber, and 2) the activity time for the activity being completed whenthe message is displayed.

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are implemented as a computerprogram product having a computer usable medium with computer readableprogram code thereon. The computer readable code may be read andutilized by a computer system in accordance with conventional processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Those skilled in the art should more fully appreciate advantages ofvarious embodiments of the invention from the following “Description ofIllustrative Embodiments,” discussed with reference to the drawingssummarized immediately below.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a computer device that may implementillustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a display control system of the computerdevice of FIG. 1 configured in accordance with illustrative embodimentsof the invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a process of using an event application and theoperation of the display control system of FIG. 2 in accordance withillustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 schematically shows an exemplary screenshot of a dashboard toenable a user to select an event in accordance with illustrativeembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 schematically shows an exemplary screenshot enabling a user tojoin an event in accordance with illustrative embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 6 schematically shows an exemplary screenshot of an event gameinterface having a user interface for entering selections immediatelybefore a first player's at-bat in accordance with illustrativeembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 schematically shows an exemplary screenshot showing a user makinga prediction of the first player's at-bat of an activity in accordancewith illustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 schematically shows an exemplary screenshot of the event userinterface during the at-bat of the first player in accordance withillustrative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 schematically shows an exemplary screenshot of the event gameinterface before a prediction and immediately before a differentplayer's at-bat in accordance with illustrative embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 10 schematically shows an exemplary screenshot of the event userinterface during the at-bat of the player of FIG. 9 in accordance withillustrative embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In illustrative embodiments, an event display system more efficientlydisplays a plurality of messages across the limited screen space of acomputing device, such as a smartphone. More generally, the displaysystem has a plurality of prescribed messages intended to be displayedon the screen of a computing device during a sporting event. When usingthe event display system, a user makes one or more predictions of theoutcome(s) of certain actions in the sporting event. Displaying many orall the messages at the same time during the sporting event typically isimpractical. Thus, to optimize use of the limited screen space duringthe sporting event, the event display system displays the messages onthe screen, in a serial manner, based at least upon a prescribed numberof activities of the event.

For example, the event display system may display a first message duringthe time it takes to complete a specific activity, such as a player'sat-bat during a nine-inning baseball game. That first message may bepermitted to be displayed in that manner, for example, for some durationof up to three different at-bats. The display system thus may displaythe other prescribed messages during two additional at-bats for the sameplayer, or for another player. Details of illustrative embodiments arediscussed below.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a computing device 10 that may implementillustrative embodiments of the invention. Specifically, the computingdevice 10 in this embodiment is a smartphone or tablet (also referred toin this description using reference number “10”). For example, amongother similar devices, the smartphone 10 may be an IPHONE™, while thetablet 10 may be an IPAD™ Both of these computing devices 10 aredistributed by Apple Inc., of Cupertino, Calif.

As with these and other similar computing devices 10, screen space is ata premium. Specifically, even a reasonably large currently availablesmartphone 10 may have a screen 12 (also referred to as a “display”)that is only about 4 inches high and 2.3 inches wide. This limited areaof screen space thus displays only a correspondingly small amount ofvisual indicia to the user. Accordingly, use of the available screenspace is limited. This technical problem consequently can degrade theuser experience, as well as reduce revenue generating advertisingopportunities.

For example, many applications running on smartphones 10 often receivemuch of their direct and indirect revenue by displaying paidadvertisements and/or other types of messages. It is a continualchallenge to determine how and when to display such messages. Forexample, prior art systems known to the inventors display messages for aprescribed time period. While that may be useful in non-eventapplications, the inventors recognized that for sporting events,another, different type of message display mechanism more effectivelydisplays this plurality of messages—a mechanism that effectivelymaximizes available screen space. To that end, illustrative embodimentstime both the presentation and duration of a message as a function of alive activity of the underlying sporting event. At the same time, thesporting event drives the event application (i.e., the event applicationis synchronized with the real-time sporting event).

To implement this functionality, the smartphone 10 has a display system14, shown generally in FIG. 1 and schematically in more detail in FIG.2. Specifically, FIG. 2 schematically shows a block diagram of thedisplay system 14, which, alone or with other logic, may control thescreen 12 of the smartphone 10, tablet 10, or other computing device 10with limited screen space (e.g., a desktop computing device 10). Thedisplay system 14 may be part of the noted event application executingon the computing device 10, an independent processing module on thecomputing device 10, part of the computing device 10 itself, or sharedbetween some or all of those entities.

Each of the components of the display system 14 is operatively connectedby a conventional interconnect mechanism. FIG. 2 simply shows a bus 16communicating each the components. Those skilled in the art shouldunderstand that this generalized representation can be modified toinclude other conventional direct or indirect connections. Accordingly,discussion of the bus 16 is not intended to limit various embodiments.

Indeed, it should be noted that FIG. 2 only schematically shows each ofthe components of the display system 14. Those skilled in the art shouldunderstand that each of these components can be implemented in a varietyof conventional manners, such as by using hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software, across one or more otherfunctional components. For example, the below discussed messagecontroller 20 may be implemented using a plurality of microprocessorsexecuting firmware or application software. As another example, themessage controller 20 may be implemented using one or more applicationspecific integrated circuits (i.e., “ASICs”) and related software, or acombination of ASICs, discrete electronic components (e.g.,transistors), and microprocessors. Accordingly, the representation ofthe message controller 20 and other components in a single box of FIG. 2is for simplicity purposes only. In fact, in some embodiments, themessage controller 20 of FIG. 2 is distributed across a plurality ofdifferent devices—for example, within multiple integrated circuits ordevices (e.g., some of it executed from a component across a wirelessconnection).

It should be reiterated that the representation of FIG. 2 is asignificantly simplified representation of an actual display system 14.Those skilled in the art should understand that such a device may haveother physical and functional components, such as a central processingunit and memory. Accordingly, this discussion is in no way intended tosuggest that FIG. 2 represents all of the elements of a display system14.

The display system 14 thus has an input 18 for receiving informationfrom any of a variety of sources. The input 18 physically may include asingle port, or a plurality of ports. Moreover, among other things, theinput sources may include input data from a user interacting with a userinterface of either the application or the device itself. For example,the user interface may include a graphical user interface (e.g.,discussed below with reference to FIGS. 4-10), an accelerometer in thesmartphone 10, or a microphone in the smartphone 10. The input 18 alsopreferably receives machine-readable, real time event informationrelating to an event. As discussed below, the application executes basedon this real time event information.

Specifically, as discussed in greater detail below, illustrativeembodiments are implemented as part of a sporting event application thatenables a user to predict the outcomes of certain activities within thesporting event. The machine-readable, real time event informationtherefore preferably includes real time information relating to thesporting event itself. For example, that information may include thetime left in a football game, or the pace and leaders an automobile race(e.g., a NASCAR™ race). As a further example, if used for a baseballevent application, that information may include a real-time informationfeed relating to the game in progress, such as (among other things) thenumber of balls and strikes of a player/batter during an at-bat in abaseball game, the number of outs, the score, the inning, names ofplayers up to bat and on base, player statistics, the outcome of anat-bat (e.g., if the player made an out or got a hit), and the baseshaving a baserunner, and the receipt of each pitch.

The display system 14 also may be considered to include the prior notedscreen 12, such as a high definition liquid crystal display screen, anda message controller 20 (briefly mentioned above) that controls displayof messages on the screen 12. The message controller 20 may displayspecific messages on the screen 12 based upon specific activities of theunderlying event.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a process of using the noted event application(also known in the art as an “app”) and the operation of the displaycontrol system of FIG. 2 in accordance with illustrative embodiments ofthe invention. It should be noted that this process is simplified from alonger process that likely would be used to intelligently display amessage using the event application. Accordingly, this process can haveadditional steps, such as other processing, storage, or data retrievalsteps, which those skilled in the art likely would use. In addition,some of the steps may be performed in a different order than that shown,or at the same time. Those skilled in the art therefore can modify theprocess as appropriate.

The process of FIGS. 3A and 3B begins at step 302, in which a user opensthe event application. In illustrative embodiments, the eventapplication enables a user to predict the outcome of certain activitieswithin a sporting event, in real time, before those activities arecompleted. For example, if the sporting event is a baseball game, theuser may predict whether a given player, before or at the time thatplayer is up to bat (i.e., not after the at-bat), will get a hit, walk,or out during his/her at-bat. In illustrative embodiments, rather thanjust predicting whether the player will get a hit, the user predicts thetype of hit, such as a single, a double, triple, or a home run.

The event application preferably assigns points to each possibledesignated outcome, and uses a formula to arrive at a total score forthe user at the end of the game. To encourage more risky predictions,outcomes that are less likely may be assigned higher point values thanthose with lower possible outcomes. For example, the successfulprediction that a player may make an out, which is quite common, may beworth only 5 points, while the successful prediction that a player mayhit a triple, which is quite uncommon, may be worth 40 points. Varyingthe points in this manner encourages users to make riskier predictionsto yield potentially higher point totals.

The event application may be used simultaneously by a plurality ofdifferent users that are competing to obtain the highest point total atthe end of the event. In that case, the user with the highest pointtotal at the end of the event may receive some recognition or award,such as a gift card from a sponsor, their name on the scoreboard duringthe next game, or simply the satisfaction of having the highest pointtotal. Accordingly, in that case, the event application has a socialaspect to it, enabling different uses to collaborate and compete.Alternatively, some users may simply prefer to use the event applicationwithout this social aspect, instead just using it by themselves.

Some embodiments permit the user to accumulate points across multiplegames. For example, a user may accumulate 150 points across fourdifferent games. In fact, the user need not use the event applicationfor entire games. Instead, the user may play partial games, such as byusing it for only one at-bat, or for several at-bats in a given game.The example of 150 accumulated points thus may have been generated bythe user playing/engaging during one entire game, and only a few at-batsin three other games. A sponsor or host of the event application mayenable the user to apply accumulated points to receive some benefit,such as those discussed above (e.g., a gift card from a sponsoringcompany). This should incentivize the user to continue playing the gameto receive further benefits.

As noted below, the user preferably uses the event application, and theevent application executes, as a function of the real time of the game.For example, the user preferably uses the event application during theactual time that the event occurs. Indeed, there may be small variationsto this theme. Specifically, as is common in modern sporting events,there may be a delay for a television or radio broadcast of the event bysome prescribed period of time, such as 10-45 seconds. In that case, theevent application may execute with a corresponding delay (e.g., the samedelay) and, in some embodiments, still be considered “real time.” Forexample, the GPS functionality of the smartphone 10 may recognize that auser is watching the game in the stadium and thus, ensure that the eventapplication executes using the actual time of the game. Accordingly, inthis case, the event application is synchronized to the actual playtiming of the underlying game. In a corresponding manner, the GPSfunctionality of the smartphone 10 may recognize that a person is not atthe stadium. In that case, the event application may (or may not)program in some delay from the real-time live play, such as 10 seconds.In this manner, the event application is synchronized to the timing ofthe game on the television. Accordingly, illustrative embodimentssynchronize the event application with the event based on the potentialmeans the user has to view the event. It should be noted, however, thatthe user may use the event application without viewing the event at all.

This real-time aspect has a number of benefits. For example, it engagesfans/users watching a game when there is some down time during at-bats.Specifically, major-league baseball officials have indicated that fansundesirably tend to become bored during long at-bats for a number ofreasons. The event application therefore engages the fan/user, hopefullyeliminating this pervasive problem.

In alternative embodiments, the event may be recorded and played backwell after the actual date of the event. In that case, the eventapplication may be synchronized to the timing of the recorded version ofthe event and thus, still be considered to be operating in real timefrom the perspective of the event application, but not live real-time,such as discussed above. Such an embodiment may have less appeal becausesome users may already have seen the event and thus, have some knowledgeof the outcomes of the activities. However, this alternative embodimentmay have some appeal to people attempting to demonstrate their knowledgeof a specific event that took place in the past.

For simplicity, illustrative embodiments are discussed using baseball asan example of the sporting event. Those skilled in the art, however,should recognize that the event application can be used with a widevariety of different types of events. For example, among other sportingevents, the event application can be used with football, hockey, soccer,basketball, horse racing, Olympic events, track and field, cricket, autoracing, skiing, swimming races, martial arts (e.g., karate, judo, taekwon do), tennis, golf, badminton, gymnastics, volleyball, wrestling,boxing, bodybuilding competitions, powerlifting competitions, boatracing, rugby, softball, table tennis, track and field, and surfingcompetitions. Accordingly, discussion of the event application withbaseball should not limit various embodiments of the invention.

Continuing with step 302, when opening the event application, the usermay see an opening display 22 on the screen 12, such as that shown inFIG. 4. In this embodiment, the opening user interface has a dashboard24 for the user, showing a plurality of different fields of information.In this example, the dashboard 24 shows the username “jgorden45,” thetotal number of games played by this user (56 in this case), and thetotal number of points accumulated during all of those games (4282points in this case). Accordingly, the user may reflect on their pointtotal as a source of pride, and/or as a means for obtaining benefits,such as the noted sponsor gift cards, special recognition, etc.

The dashboard 24 also has an upcoming game field 26 listing games inwhich the user may participate using this event application. The usermay slide this upcoming game field 26 to the left or right to selectfrom a plurality of different game options. In this example, this fielddisplays a baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and theChicago Cubs at 2:20 pm on the current day. The user thus may choosethis game, or another game, by selecting the hyperlink “Join Now,” whichsends a request to the event application to interact with the user basedupon that specifically selected game.

Accordingly, after receiving the game selection (step 304), the eventapplication displays an intermediate selection user interface 28, suchas that shown in FIG. 5. Using this interface 28, the user may confirmthat they desire to use the event application based upon the specificgame listed in a joining field 29. In this example, the user may select“JOIN SELECTED CONTEST” to use the event application with the gamebetween the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals. In thiscase, the game already is underway, at the top of the third inning, with15 current users. Continuing with this example, the user with thehighest point total at the end of the game receives 500 bonus points(referred to in this example as “FanZpoints”).

After selecting the appropriate game, the event application displays agame interface 30 as shown in FIG. 6, and begins receiving inputinformation (step 306). In this example, the Boston Red Sox are playingthe New York Yankees. It should be noted that to arrive at the gameinterface 30 of FIG. 6 showing this specific game (i.e., in this case,the Boston Red Sox versus the New York Yankees), the user should haveselected this game in the corresponding previous user interfaces ofFIGS. 4 and 5. Accordingly, even though the examples in FIGS. 4 and 5show different games, to arrive at the game interface 30 of FIG. 6, theuser should have selected the game shown in FIG. 6.

This game interface 30 has a plurality of different fields in differentparts of the screen 12. For example, in this case, the different fieldsinclude:

-   -   a team field 32 identifying the two teams, the score, and the        inning,    -   a scoreboard field 34 showing the number of runs, hits, and        errors,    -   a player field 36 identifying the player up to bat, the player        that is on deck, and the amount of time left to make a        prediction of what the player will do during their current        at-bat,    -   a prediction field 38 enabling the user to predict the results        of the current at-bat, identifying the balls and strikes against        the batter, the number of outs, players on base, and the point        ranking of the user against the other users,    -   a message field 39 for showing messages.

Note that the information in the figures is intended for illustrativepurposes only. For example, some of the information in the team field 32and scoreboard field 34 of the figures may include not be consistent. Asone example, for the same at-bat, the team field 32 may show differentinnings across different figures. It nevertheless is reiterated thatsuch figures are for illustrative purposes only.

The prediction field 38 has an event user interface 40 with variousgraphical indicia permitting the user to predict the outcome of thecurrent player's at-bat. In this example, the event user interface 40roughly is in the shape of a baseball diamond and has various predictionoutcomes for the user to select. Rotating clockwise, the user can selectone of the following prediction outcomes: a strikeout (“K”), a single(“1B”), a double (“2B”), and out (“O”), a triple or home run (“3B/HR”),or a walk (“BB”).

Accordingly, at this stage, the input 18 of the display system 14 maybegin receiving input information. In this example, the input 18 mayreceive user input from the prediction field 38 and its event userinterface 40; i.e., the prediction of the user. In addition, the input18 may receive machine readable, real-time event information relating tothe game. In this case, that information may include any of theinformation to populate the various fields of the game interface 30.Specifically, the batter information, the balls and strikes, the score,etc., and any other information required by the event application. Theevent application thus uses this information to display various gamefacts in the various fields of the game interface 30. The messagecontroller 20 receives this information, via the input 18, to controlthe display of various message indicia. One such message indicia isreferred to as a “rotating message 31A,” because it sometimes rotatesbetween background and foreground in the prediction field 38. Seerelated application, incorporated above and filed on even date herewith,for additional details of the rotating message 31A.

FIG. 7 schematically shows one way a user may predict the outcome of anactivity of the event (e.g., the outcome of a player's at-bat). In thisexample, the user drags the icon of the selected prediction into thecenter of the diamond of the prediction field 38. Of course, thoseskilled in the art can use any of a number of different ways to selectthe prediction and thus, FIG. 7 is merely an example of one way to makethe prediction.

To ensure that the prediction is not made with knowledge of the actualoutcome of the given action, the prediction preferably is made beforethe end of the given action—before the outcome is known. For example,FIG. 7 uses a timer 33 to limit the amount of time that a user may makea prediction. The timer preferably expires before the end of the event(an at-bat in this example). In preferred embodiments, the timerpreferably expires before the beginning of the event/at-bat.

In other words, the at-bat has a duration—the time extending from thebeginning of the player's at-bat (e.g., the first pitch), until theplayer completes his/her at-bat. The input 18 thus preferably receivesthe user's selection before the completion of the at-bat (preferablybefore the first pitch to that player, although it could be after thefirst pitch). Of course, this duration is specifically determined by thestream of machine readable, real-time event information received by theinput 18.

The message controller 20 (or other controller) thus sets the timer 33to an appropriate start time at an appropriate moment during or beforethe at-bat. For example, the stream of machine-readable information mayindicate that a previous player just struck out. At that time, themessage controller 20 may set the timer to an amount of time in whichthe user can reasonably predict the outcome of the next player's at-batbefore that at-bat begins (e.g., 30 seconds), and start the timer. Thistime preferably expires early enough to ensure that the prediction ismade before that next player has started batting—or before the playerhas completed his/her current at-bat. Preferably, the message controller20 sets the time to expire before the first pitch to that player. Due tothe dynamic nature of the game, however, in rare instances, time mayexpire after the first pitch. In either case, the duration of the at-batpreferably has not expired (i.e., the player has not completed theat-bat before the timer expires).

After receiving the prediction, the event application displays theprediction on the screen 12. At this point, the prediction cannot bechanged. Other embodiments, however, may permit the user to change theirprediction under prescribed circumstances. FIG. 8 schematically showsthe game interface 30 at this time.

FIGS. 6-8 also show another message, referred to as a “serial message31B,” in the message field 39 because the message in that field 39changes in a serial manner. In this embodiment, the serial message 31Bremains in the message field 39 and does not extend beyond that field39. More specifically, the message controller 20 manages a plurality ofdifferent prescribed serial messages 31B (e.g., stored in memory beforethe game), and determines when to multiplex those messages 31B into themessage field 39. Indeed, displaying them at the same time isimpractical, and displaying multiple serial messages 31B at the sametime may be cumbersome and detract from the user experience.

FIGS. 6-8 show the serial message 31B as “Message A,” while FIGS. 9-10show the generic serial message 31B as another message, “Message B.” Ofcourse, those skilled in the art can use any of a wide variety of typesof messages, including words, pictures, and other graphical indicia. Forexample, the serial message 31B can include information relating to anyof a variety of things, such as an advertisement from some company ororganization, or information about the game (e.g., a history of theteams or the background of the current batter). Such messages may beconsidered to be “prescribed messages” because their content ispre-determined (e.g., a logo from an advertisement campaign, or a cannedexpression to highlight an event-specific item) and stored in someremote or local memory for future display. As another example, themessage 31A can include information from a third party, (e.g., a friendsaying where to meet after the game, or an important safety warning fromthe National Weather Service about an impending thunderstorm). As such,the serial message 31B may include incoming text from an instantmessage, SMS message, electronic mail, or other data source. Inillustrative embodiments, a remote computing device may serve and/orcontrol the content of the message.

After displaying the event user interface 40, the method continues tostep 308, in which the message controller 20 determines the order todisplay the serial messages 31B. Specifically, in illustrativeembodiments, the display system 14 has a plurality of serial messages31B lined up to be displayed during the current sporting event. Forexample, a set of serial messages 31B (e.g., as a list and/or themessages themselves) may be stored in memory ready to be displayed.During the event, the message controller 20 may add new serial messages31B to that set and, likewise, remove some of the serial messages 31Bfrom that list. Accordingly, the message controller 20 may use somemethod to determine when to display the messages 31B. For example, themessage controller 20 or other mechanism may assign a value to eachserial message 31B and use that value to determine which serial message31B is to be displayed first, second, etc. Other embodiments may useother means for determining the order, such as a random selection, anevent-driven approach based on what is happening during event, aformulaic approach, or a revenue driven approach (e.g., serial messages31B that generate more revenue may be displayed before others thatgenerate less revenue).

Accordingly, at step 310, the message controller 20 retrieves the nextserial message 31B which, in this first pass through the process, is thefirst serial message 31B in the set as determined by step 308. Themessage controller 20 then determines a “display number” associated withthe serial message 31B (step 312). Specifically, in accordance withillustrative embodiments, each serial message 31B is displayed notsolely as a function of time, but as a function of a prescribed numberof activities of the sporting event. For example, if used with abaseball game, each serial message 31B is displayed during a prescribednumber of at-bats. As such, a given serial message 31B may be displayedduring one at-bat, two at-bats, three at-bats, ten at-bats, etc. If theserial message 31B is an advertisement, for example, then the sponsor ofthat message 31B can pay a specified amount per at-bat. As anotherexample, if the serial message 31B relates to an important fact aboutthe game, then that serial message 31B may be displayed as a function ofthe importance of the fact.

Accordingly, at some preliminary stage, the message controller 20 orother entity assigns a display number to each serial message 31B. Asdiscussed, the display number is equal to the maximum total number ofevents in which a serial message 31B may be displayed in the messagefield 39. For example, if the display number of a given serial message31B is 6, then that given serial message 31B will be displayed up to 6consecutive or non-consecutive times during the event across some or allof the users' game interfaces 30. Indeed, there may be instances whenthat given serial message 31B is not displayed 6 times, such as if theevent ends earlier than planned. Also, in some embodiments, the messagefield 39 can move to different areas of the game interface 30.

Thus, at step 312, the message controller 20 sets a counter, referred toas a “display number counter,” or, for simplicity, “counter” to thedisplay number of the current serial message 31B. Next, at step 314, themessage controller 20 displays the current serial message 31B, asdetermined at step 310, in the foreground of the message field39—preferably when receiving the stream of real-time event information.In addition, the message controller 20 decrements the counter so thatthe serial message 31B is shown no more than one fewer instance duringthe event.

The current serial message 31B thus remains displayed for a period oftime that preferably ends at the end of the current activity. Forexample, the current serial message 31B may display while the user ismaking a prediction (FIGS. 6 and 7), and after the user makes theprediction (FIG. 7) to the end of the current activity (e.g., theat-bat, FIG. 8). The time it takes for an activity to ultimately end maybe referred to as the “activity time” of the activity. Accordingly, thecurrent serial message 31B is displayed for a period as a function ofthe activity time and the display number. In some embodiments, however,the message controller 20 may display the current serial message 31B forsome other duration that still is a function of the display number. Forexample, in some of those embodiments, the message controller 20 maystart the next message at some earlier moment before the end of thecurrent activity of the event.

In alternative embodiments, the message controller 20 may seriallydisplay sets of plural serial messages 31B. For example, the messagecontroller 20 may display a set of two serial messages 31B during afirst player's at-bat, and a second set of two other serial messages 31Bduring another player's at-bat.

After the current activity (e.g., the current player's at-bat)completes, then the process continues to step 316, in which the messagecontroller 20 determines if the currently displayed serial message 31Bis to be displayed again at this current time (i.e., consecutively). Tothat end, the message controller 20 checks the counter. If the counteris at a minimum count (e.g., 0), then the currently displayed serialmessage 31B will not be displayed again and the method continues to step318 (discussed below). If the counter is not at the minimum count,however, then the message controller 20 determines if it will displaythe current message again at the current time, or at a later time. If itis to be displayed again at this current time, then the process loopsback to step 314.

Conversely, if the message controller 20 determines at step 316 that itwill not display that same message again at the current time, then theprocess continues to step 318, in which the message controllerdetermines if there are more serial messages 31B to display. If thereare more messages left (e.g., not all counters are at their minimumnumber), the process loops back to step 310, which displays a nextserial message 31B. FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively show an example of thisnext serial message 31B as a different message (“Message B”), displayedduring the prediction selection phase and during the player's at-bat.

If no serial messages 31B remain to be displayed at step 318 (e.g.,neither the current serial message 31B nor other serial messages 31B),then process ends.

Thus, as noted above, each serial message 31B is considered to bedisplayed for some maximum total time period as a function of at leasttwo variables—the prescribed display number and the activity time forthe activity being completed. This total time therefore may occurconsecutively during multiple consecutive activities and/or separated byother activities. For example, a given serial message 31B may display,without interruption, during the last two players' at-bats during thefourth inning, the time between their at-bats, the time between thefourth and fifth innings, and the first player's at-bat during the fifthinning. Alternatively, this total time may occur at different times,such as during a first player's at-bat during the fifth inning andduring another player's at-bat during the ninth inning.

Other embodiments may display serial messages 31B using the processabove, and intersperse other types of messages based upon othercriteria. For example, some embodiments may display another message inthe message field 39 for a prescribed time between the times ofdisplaying two serial messages 31B.

Accordingly, illustrative embodiments permit display of a plurality ofmessages in a serial manner based up the activities of the event—notbased solely on a prescribed time. This screen space allocation enablesmore efficient and effective display of the plurality of messages acrossthe limited space of the screen 12—particularly that of a smartphone.

Various embodiments of the invention may be implemented at least in partin any conventional computer programming language. For example, someembodiments may be implemented in a procedural programming language(e.g., “C”), or in an object oriented programming language (e.g.,“C++”). Other embodiments of the invention may be implemented as apre-configured, stand-along hardware element and/or as preprogrammedhardware elements (e.g., application specific integrated circuits,FPGAs, and digital signal processors), or other related components.

In an alternative embodiment, the disclosed apparatus and methods (e.g.,see the flow chart described above) may be implemented as a computerprogram product for use with a computer system. Such implementation mayinclude a series of computer instructions fixed either on a tangible,non-transitory medium, such as a computer readable medium (e.g., adiskette, CD-ROM, ROM, or fixed disk). The series of computerinstructions can embody all or part of the functionality previouslydescribed herein with respect to the system.

Those skilled in the art should appreciate that such computerinstructions can be written in a number of programming languages for usewith many computer architectures or operating systems. Furthermore, suchinstructions may be stored in any memory device, such as semiconductor,magnetic, optical or other memory devices, and may be transmitted usingany communications technology, such as optical, infrared, microwave, orother transmission technologies.

Among other ways, such a computer program product may be distributed asa removable medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation(e.g., shrink wrapped software), preloaded with a computer system (e.g.,on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributed from a server or electronicbulletin board over the network (e.g., the Internet or World Wide Web).In fact, some embodiments may be implemented in a software-as-a-servicemodel (“SAAS”) or cloud computing model. Of course, some embodiments ofthe invention may be implemented as a combination of both software(e.g., a computer program product) and hardware. Still other embodimentsof the invention are implemented as entirely hardware, or entirelysoftware.

Although the above discussion discloses various exemplary embodiments ofthe invention, it should be apparent that those skilled in the art canmake various modifications that will achieve some of the advantages ofthe invention without departing from the true scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sporting event display system for allocatingscreen space for display of a plurality of prescribed messages on adisplay device during a sporting event having a plurality of activities,each activity ultimately having an outcome and taking an activity timeto complete, the display system comprising: a display configured todisplay, in real time when receiving a stream of real-time eventinformation relating to the sporting event, an event user interfacehaving selection indicia, the selection indicia being configured toenable a user to predict the outcome of at least one of the plurality ofactivities of the sporting event in real time; an input operativelycoupled with the display, the input being configured to receive inputinformation, the input information including the stream of electronic,machine readable real-time event information, the input information alsoincluding a plurality of predictions from the event user interface; amessage controller operatively coupled with the display, the messagecontroller being configured to assign, to each message, a prescribeddisplay number that is equal to a prescribed number of activities of thesporting event, the message controller also being configured to display,in series, each of the plurality of messages in the foreground of thedisplay in real time when receiving the stream of real-time eventinformation, each message being displayed for no more than a total timeperiod during the event, the total time period being a function ofboth 1) the prescribed display number, and 2) the activity time for theactivity being completed when the message is displayed.
 2. The displaysystem as defined by claim 1 wherein message controller is configuredto: display a first message on the display during a first activity ofthe event; display a second message on the display during a secondactivity of the event; and display the first message on the displayduring a third activity of the event, the second activity occurringbetween the first and third activities.
 3. The display system as definedby claim 1 wherein the message controller is configured to: display afirst message on the display during a first activity of the event;display the first message on the display during a second activity of theevent; and display a second message on the display during a thirdactivity of the event, the first and second activities being consecutiveactivities, the third activity being before or after the first andsecond activities.
 4. The display system as defined by claim 1 furthercomprising a timer configured to display a prescribed time and countdownfor the user to make the prediction with the event user interface, thetotal time period also being a function of the prescribed time for theuser to make the prediction.
 5. The display system as defined by claim 1wherein the message is spaced from and not covering the event userinterface when displayed.
 6. The display system as defined by claim 1wherein the sporting event is a football game or a baseball game.
 7. Thedisplay system as defined by claim 6 wherein the sporting event is abaseball game and at least one of the plurality of activities includesan at-bat of a player of the baseball game.
 8. The display system asdefined by claim 1 wherein the stream of real time event information isreceived live or delayed by no more than 45 seconds from live.
 9. Thedisplay system as defined by claim 1 wherein the display devicecomprises a smartphone or a tablet.
 10. A method of allocating screenspace for display of a plurality of prescribed messages on a displaydevice during a sporting event having a plurality of activities, eachactivity ultimately having an outcome and taking an activity time tocomplete, the method comprising: receiving a stream of electronic,machine readable real-time event information relating to the sportingevent; displaying, on the display device in real time when receiving thestream of real-time event information, an event user interface havingselection indicia, the selection indicia being configured to enable auser to predict the outcome of at least one of the plurality ofactivities of the sporting event in real time; assigning, to eachmessage, a prescribed display number that is equal to a prescribednumber of activities of the sporting event; and displaying, in series,each of the plurality of messages in the foreground of the display inreal time when receiving the stream of real-time event information, eachmessage being displayed for no more than a total time period during theevent, the total time period being a function of both 1) the prescribeddisplay number, and 2) the activity time for the activity beingcompleted when the message is displayed.
 11. The method as defined byclaim 10 wherein displaying, in series, each of the plurality ofmessages comprises: displaying a first message during a first activityof the event; displaying a second message during a second activity ofthe event; and displaying the first message during a third activity ofthe event, the second activity occurring between the first and thirdactivities.
 12. The method as defined by claim 10 wherein displaying, inseries, each of the plurality of messages comprises: displaying a firstmessage during a first activity of the event; displaying the firstmessage during a second activity of the event; and displaying a secondmessage during a third activity of the event, the first and secondactivities being consecutive activities, the third activity being beforeor after the first and second activities.
 13. The method as defined byclaim 10 further comprising providing a prescribed time for the user tomake the prediction with the event user interface, the total time periodalso being a function of the prescribed time for the user to make theprediction.
 14. The method as defined by claim 10 wherein the message isspaced from and not covering the event user interface.
 15. The method asdefined by claim 10 wherein the message includes selectable indicia,further comprising selecting the selectable indicia, and producing avisual code in response to the selection.
 16. The method as defined byclaim 10 wherein the sporting event is a football game or a baseballgame.
 17. The method as defined by claim 16 wherein the sporting eventis a baseball game and at least one of the plurality of activitiesincludes an at-bat of a player of the baseball game.
 18. The method asdefined by claim 10 wherein the stream of real-time event information isreceived live or delayed by no more than 45 seconds from live.
 19. Themethod as defined by claim 10 wherein the display device comprises asmartphone or a tablet.
 20. The method as defined by claim 10 whereinthe prescribed display number is equal to a prescribed number of past orpotential future predictions using the event user interface during thesporting event.
 21. A computer program product for use on a computersystem for allocating screen space for display of a plurality ofprescribed messages on a display device during a sporting event having aplurality of activities, each activity ultimately having an outcome andtaking an activity time to complete, the computer program productcomprising a tangible, non-transient computer usable medium havingcomputer readable program code thereon, the computer readable programcode comprising: program code for receiving a stream of electronic,machine readable real-time event information relating to the sportingevent; program code for displaying, on the display device in real timewhen receiving the stream of real-time event information, an event userinterface having selection indicia, the selection indicia beingconfigured to enable a user to predict the outcome of at least one ofthe plurality of activities of the sporting event in real time; programcode for assigning, to each message, a prescribed display number that isequal to a prescribed number of activities of the sporting event; andprogram code for displaying, in series, each of the plurality ofmessages in the foreground of the display in real time when receivingthe stream of real-time event information, each message being displayedfor no more than a total time period during the event, the total timeperiod being a function of both 1) the prescribed display number, and 2)the activity time for the activity being completed when the message isdisplayed.
 22. The computer program product as defined by claim 21wherein the program code for displaying, in series, each of theplurality of messages comprises: program code for displaying a firstmessage during a first activity of the event; program code fordisplaying a second message during a second activity of the event; andprogram code for displaying the first message during a third activity ofthe event, the second activity occurring between the first and thirdactivities.
 23. The computer program product as defined by claim 21wherein the program code for displaying, in series, each of theplurality of messages comprises: program code for displaying a firstmessage during a first activity of the event; program code fordisplaying the first message during a second activity of the event; andprogram code for displaying a second message during a third activity ofthe event, the first and second activities being consecutive activities,the third activity being before or after the first and secondactivities.
 24. The computer program product as defined by claim 21further comprising program code for providing a prescribed time for theuser to make the prediction with the event user interface, the totaltime period also being a function of the prescribed time for the user tomake the prediction.
 25. The computer program product as defined byclaim 21 wherein the sporting event is a football game.
 26. The computerprogram product as defined by claim 21 wherein the stream of real-timeevent information is received live or delayed by no more than 45 secondsfrom live.
 27. The computer program product as defined by claim 21wherein the prescribed display number is equal to a prescribed number ofpast or potential future predictions using the event user interfaceduring the sporting event.